By Jennifer Whitlock
Field Editor

The U.S. Court of International Trade announced it will review a legal brief filed by five major agricultural organizations as it considers repealing tariffs imposed by the International Trade Commission (ITC) on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco and Russia.

A joint amicus curiae brief in support of Moroccan fertilizer manufacturer OCP was filed Oct. 29 by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), National Cotton Council of America, National Sorghum Producers and Agricultural Retailers Association.

Farmers across the nation are suffering from fertilizer shortages and skyrocketing costs as a direct result of these tariffs, the groups wrote.

“Farmers are feeling the pain from these tariffs,” NCGA President and Iowa corn farmer Chris Edgington said when the brief was filed. “We’re facing severe cost hikes on our fertilizers, and we are worried about fertilizer shortages next year. We desperately need the U.S. Court of International Trade to remedy this situation.”

In February, the U.S. Department of Commerce recommended the ITC impose tariffs over 19% on imported fertilizers from Morocco after American fertilizer company Mosaic petitioned the department alleging Moroccan and Russian phosphate fertilizer manufacturers were receiving unfair subsidies.

The ITC voted in March to begin imposing tariffs.

A similar suit was filed in June against Russia, Trinidad and Tobago by CF Industries in the production of urea ammonium nitrate solutions, which is used in liquid fertilizers. Combined, these countries produce about 81% of the United States’ UAN fertilizer imports, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

While a decision in that case is pending, UAN prices have already risen in response.

NCGA has asked both Mosaic and CF Industries to withdraw their petitions, according to Edgington.

Planting forecasts for 2022 are being affected by the uncertainty of fertilizer futures, too. Projections by the University of Illinois show fertilizer costs will lower net farm income in that state by 34%.

“The tariffs have created a financial hardship for farmers.” Edgington said. “Another year of shortages and tariffs will be devastating.”